By Stella Kabruk
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
says it is set to embark on sensitisation to broadcast media organisations on illegal drug advertisement.
The agencyβs Coordinator in Kaduna State, Nasiru Mato, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in
Kaduna that βthere are illegal advertisements about drugs both on radio and television which needed to be
addressed to protect the health of the citizenry.
βWe want to embark on sensitisation to broadcast media organisations for them to stop collecting illegal advertisement.
βThe electronic media should clarify the genuineness of adverts from the agency before advertising it.
βIt is not just about the money gotten through the advertisement of the products, but safeguarding public
health by checking the genuineness of products.β
Mato said that the agency would also sensitise Kaduna residents on door to door advertisement.
According to him, NAFDAC hasΒ stipulated guidelines and requirements for issuance of advert permit.
βManufacturers of NAFDAC regulated products must ensure that they follow due process to secure advert permit.
βThe content of the advert is scrutinised and vetted before authorisation is given.
βAny unapproved advertisement is viewed as illegal, and such violation will attract serious sanctions.β
The NAFDAC coordinator said illegal advertisements were dangerous and totally unacceptable.
He added that βthe agency will not tolerate any misleading advert or claims either on product label or otherwise.
βAll adverts must be verified and confirmed before broadcasting within the ambit of the law.β
He listed some of the punitive actions against any advert violations to include but not limited to arrest, administrative penalty and seizures.
He added that NAFDAC in Kaduna would not relent in the discharge of its duty of safeguarding public health by stepping up
surveillance and monitoring activities in every nook and cranny of the state.
NAN
